"A man travels the world in search of what he needs and returns home to find it."
George A.Moore, Irish Novelist

Monday, December 31, 2012

Happy New Year!!!

We are VERY happy to be saying “Goodbye” to 2012 and “Hello” to hopefully, a better year in 2013!

We had a bit of a rough 6 months here at The Gazebo House, that kept me from blogging or doing much of anything else, for that matter. (except sewing) It is my therapy, ya' know!

I found time to make reversible bibs for a friend’s twin granddaughters.

I made a Halloween Door hanging for the front door. This was the first time I ever tried doing ‘prairie points’ on anything. They were fun!

This 'Lady Ghost' shirt was embroidered for granddaughter, Ms. C.

I did a Dresden Plate turkey on each end of a table runner, for my daughter’s long buffet.This was the first time I had ever done any Dresden Plate design and I got in somepractice with my free motion quilting, too.

I made several sewing room mug organizers, with matching pin cushions to tuck into one of the spaces.

The Snowman coat pins, below, were done entirely in the embroidery machine hoop, then glued onto tea lights poked through a hole made during the embroidery. The design is from Reen at Embroidery Garden.

This is a Lil’ Twister “Christmas Wreath” wallhanging that I made for our guest bedroom quilt rack.

The fabulous quilting on it was done by Janice Kiser on her long arm machine.I can only HOPE to get this good someday!My husband had a small stroke back in May, that left him blind in one eye and off balance somewhat. It could have been SO much worse, and we are very thankful that he is now almost back to normal, sans his eyesight in the right eye.

He had to have laser tacking done to try to prevent the re-growth of new blood vessels, which are fragile and leak easily. It worked for awhile but later he had to undergo surgery on that eye for an insertion of a shunt to help prevent the build up of pressure that occurs when those new blood vessels weaken and break. TMI? Sorry! We nurses sometimes forget.

Some of the medicines he was put on to lower the eye pressure made him terribly sick and complicated his care tremendously. I promise I won’t go into details but there were days when I didn’t have the time or the energy for even a shower, let alone to sit down and blog. There wasn’t much to blog about anyway.

Besides all that, I fell and injured my right shoulder…(which was sore from tennis to begin with) and being on the computer, typing, was painful, as well as causing numbness. My dear sweet step-son, ‘the doctor’ whom I adore, has injected it for me and it is MUCH better now. I am praying that it will completely heal and I won’t need surgery on it. (possible torn rotator cuff tear) THATwould REALLYcomplicate things around here!!

We still managed to have some fun times in the past 6 months.

We were blessed that my husband survived the stroke and was able to celebrate another Fathers’ Day at that same beloved son’s gorgeous home.

My Honey, with his daughter and our daughter-in-law’s aunt in the background.

Some shots of various rooms in the home:

Even though it rained off and on, they were still able to cook outside and we enjoyed their lovely yard for a little bit, in spite of the weather.

Hi Poochie!

Three of my DH’s beautiful granddaughters on the left side, another grandpa from the other side of the family and our daughter-in-law’s sweet brother and his pretty wife.The big island in the kitchen makes serving such a large crowd more manageable but it is still a lot of work!

I always try to bring a healthy fruit salad, as I have the time to cut it up.

These marinated green beans with feta cheese andORANGE tomatoes were DELICIOUS!I thought the presentation of them in this bowl with the cobalt blue was very eye appealing.

Next year, I’d like to do an orange and blue tablescape...such a different color combination for me.

There was also some fattening but oh-so-yummy potato salad.

Aren’t these new dishes with the holes for handles fun?

Beets, broccoli salad, beans and another green bean dish rounded out the menu. Our daughter-in-law is a vegetarian, so there are always lots of veggies to enjoy.

Ms. C. got to spend lots of happy hours this summer here at The Gazebo House, playing in the hot tub, on my computer and helping me in the kitchen. One time, we made flip flop cookies,

and another visit, we did Rollo treats, too!

In the fall, my older sister, Ms. C. and I attended a quilt show, where I had entered one of my quilts. We had a wonderful time and my lucky sister WON THE DOOR PRIZE!!!

This queen size log cabin quilt is SOOOO heavy! We laughed because she had said “I don't know why I bother. I never win anything” as she placed her ticket into the box.

I won a 2nd place ribbon in its size division for my "Scenes of Venice, FL" quilt, seen below.

That is the first ribbon I’ve ever won, (for ANYTHING!) so we were ALL very happy.

I also entered two other quilts, "Winter Welcome", below

and the pink & green toile one I made for my daughter for her birthday.

I'm sorry this is so long but I had so much I wanted to share

and I needed to catch up!

I have more but I'll save it for another day.

I hope you all enjoyed a very Merry Christmas with your friends and family.

I’ve been watching over your shoulders and keeping up with your lives,

via Google Reader.

I would like to say a special “Thank YOU” to all the blogging friends who reached out to me, here on the blog as well as via email, to check on how things were going. It warmed my heart to know how much people cared and I was so touched that you would take time out from your busy schedules to do so.

30 comments:

This is the best post ever and it is filled with beautiful handmade items, family and good news! Happy new year and yes, let's hope 2013 brings the best that life has to offer. So glad to have you back!!!

I was SO glad to see your name on my reading list! What a year you've had - but you are through it and still sewing and smiling. We women are, in so many ways, so strong. I hope your DH continues to strengthen - lucky fellow to have his own private nurse!Your sewing projects are all so beautiful. I'm glad you've had this outlet over the past months but sorry to hear that you were curtailed for a while due to the shoulder injury. Take care of it!

Your quilts are beautiful, and I congratulate you on your ribbon! The little bibs are adorable too! Your honey looks handsome and I am glad he is improving. Good to see a post from you, Rett! You have been missed very much! Hope 2013 brings you and yours health, joy, and peace.Hugs, Beth

Oh, Rettabug, I am so happy to see you back and posting. Congratulations on the Blue Ribbon. Your quilts are gorgeous! And congratulations to your sister on winning the quilt raffle. Lucky lady! Glad to hear that things are better for DH. It's been a long road. Here's to a healthy 2013. I've missed you, dear friend. Hugs and Happy New Year! ~ Sarah

Lovely to have you back,Rett!! You have had such a busy year - I hope the new year brings good times for you and your family. I had a rotor cuff operation about 4 years ago (after falling in the sheep yards on the farm) and I'm hoping you don't have to have one too!! It takes ages to get over it and I was quite fit and healthy then (not like now!! haha). I adore your Winter Welcome quilt - it makes me think I souldn't be so lazy and get back to quilting. Maybe my New Year resolution......Suzyq

Hi Rett, The blogging world will rejoice to see you back! You have definitely been missed, and now we know how busy you have been! I'm amazed that you were able to accomplish so much even though you had so much pain and trouble. I'm glad to hear your hubby is doing well. You are right, it could have been worse. My Mom had a stroke and luckily I was with her at the time and was able to rush her in for treatment, and after a long time and a great deal of effort she is fully recovered. I know how much hard it is to watch and feel helpless! At least he has your love and help to rely on! And I hope your shoulder heals soon. Congratulations on the quilting win! All of them are absolutely gorgeous! I hope 2013 is a wonderful year for you! Linda

Hi Rett - I can't tell you how happy I am that you are blogging again. I have thought of you so many times and am overjoyed that your hubby is doing well. I can only imagine what a difficult time it has been for you. No wonder you haven't had the energy to blog. You have kept yourself busy with your sewing and quilting and I agree with you about it being good therapy. Being in touch again is a great way to start the new year. I hope it is a healthy and happy one for us all.

Rett!!! I'm soooo happy to see you back in blogland!! I've missed you, and have kept an eye out for you to update, always thinking about you (I think I might've even emailed you at one point). I'm so sorry to hear about your husband's stroke; you are so right that it could've been so much worse. I know you're treasuring every moment and being thankful. Your quilts (and all your work) is beautiful; I'm glad you had these projects to help you through the tougher times. I wish you and your husband the best in 2013, especially health. I hope we're able to see more of you this year. ~Zuni

Hi Rett!!! I am so happy to see you back! Happy New Year to you and yours and wishing much health and happiness for 2013! With everything going on, you have been a busy busy woman making so many beautiful things! I have missed you!

Hi Rett, I saw that you had left a comment on Lynn's blog and had to stop on over and say "hi". I've missed you and it was so great to see all your projects and catch up on what has been going on with you and your honey. Happy New Year blessings to you and your loved ones.

So good to see you posting again! Wow, I think I should stop blogging, you got so many wonderful things done. All beautiful and creative, my talented friend!My very best wishes for a HEALTHY 2013!! God bless!

Retta, I am glad the new year is bringing new hope for you and your family. I am sorry to say I have done a terrible job of keeping up and didn't realize your husband had been ill. I know you have been a wonderful caregiver for him and I am glad he is on the mend. Happy New Year, may it bring many blessings to you and your family.

Rett~ I'm SO happy to see a post and update for you! I always enjoy seeing whatyou are stitching and quilting! Your work is beautiful~ congratulations on your ribbon on your Scenes of Florida quilt and I LOVE the pink and green toile one for your daughter! Thinking happy & healthy thoughts for you, your hubby and your shoulder for 2013!

HI RETT!!!!I AM SOOOOOOOOOO HAPPPPPPPYYYYYY YOU ARE BACK!!!!I MISSED you SOOO MUCH!!!!!WOW.....so many happy things to see on here......First off that darling grand of yours is growing up ....to fast....like mine.The quilts are stunning....the food featured here...I love it all....will be copying some of those ideas next Christmas...the WREATH is awesome!!!!!I loved all your family shots!!!ANd I have never seen your home in so many pics...I love your kitchen!!!!ANd your living room!!So happy you are back!!BIG HUGS to you,jamie

So happy to see you back blogging! Your were very much missed!! So thankful your husband is okay. Thanks for catching us up on all the beautiful projects you were able to do for therapy! Those quilts are fabulous!

I have also slowed down a lot with blogging, hope to do better in 2013. The past year was also a bad one for us, my sister died, and several friends as well.

Rett, I'm late saying that I am so thankful your hubby is doing better. What a year you have had, and I hpe your shoulder is better by now as well.

I was sick ALL summer and then have had a lot on my plate before and after. I thought I was staring to see daylight, and then our oldest godson died. If I didn't have the Lord I don't know what I would do. I'm so thankful for His presence in my life.

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A bed without a Quilt is like a Sky without Stars!

Yep, that's me!!

About Me

I'm a critical care RN & was married 28 yrs to a warm & funny family practice physician, who passed away 2-7-15. I wish we had found each other sooner, so we could have loved each other longer.
I have 1 daughter & am called "Nana Rett" by her 3 children, my 2 grandsons & 1 delightful granddaughter. (Hubby had 12 grands & 3 great-grands, too)
I enjoy sewing, quilting, smocking & embroidering clothing for them along with playing tennis for exercise and do throw an occasional dinner party just to keep my cooking skills from getting too rusty!
I hope your creativity will be nurtured here.

The Gazebo House

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